TRANSFORMERS PRIME: ODYSSEY
Chapter II - Team One
OPEN ON:
INT. NEST BASE, HOLDING CELL - NIGHT
[Shockwave is huddled in the back of a hangar cordoned off
by a blue force-field. Bulkhead and Ratchet appear outside,
lowering the force-field and striding in.]
BULKHEAD
(suspicious)
So...You helped us...
SHOCKWAVE
I have fared better arriving on
Earth with you rather than without
you.
BULKHEAD
Yeah, well, not to seem ungrateful,
but helping us out of a jam doesn't
exactly make up for a lifetime of
war crimes.
RATCHET
We have re-established contact with
High Command. They will be sending a
squad to escort you to your trial on
Cybertron.
[Shockwave is silent, seemingly not bothered. Ratchet
fidgets awkwardly and takes out a data pad.]
RATCHET (cont'd)
We are here to conduct a preliminary
interrogation.
(tempting)
If you co-operate, it might improve
your standing with the tribunal.
BULKHEAD
*scoff* Though not by much with your
rap sheet.
[Shockwave finally stirs, rises to his feet, and paces over
to Ratchet, leaning into the Autobot medic with menace.
Bulkhead tenses and primes his blaster cannons, but
Shockwave merely glowers at Ratchet.]
SHOCKWAVE
Include this in your report. I am
unconcerned with the preening of
Cybertron's new bureaucracy.
(haunted)
Soon we may not have a world to
rebuild...
[Shockwave turns away, almost seeming to despair.]
RATCHET
(baffled)
What? What makes you say that?!
[Ratchet turns back to face Ratchet, his eye pulsing red.]
SHOCKWAVE
(grim)
The Quintessons have returned.
FADE TO BLACK
TITLE SEQUENCE
OPEN ON:
INT. NEST, MISSION OPS - NIGHT
[Ratchet and Bulkhead escort Shockwave into a hangar bay
outfitted as NEST's mission control center. Arcee is
waiting for them, absorbed in her thoughts.]
ARCEE
*sigh* We should have been here-
sooner I mean. We could have helped
put an end to MECH before they ever
reared their shiny little-
RATCHET
Take it from a physician-hindsight
is 20/20. And after all, I was here
the whole time. If I were better in
a fight, Jack might not be...
[He trails off, contrite.]
MIKO
(resentful)
Well, she's got a point, Ratchet.
Don't take all the credit.
[Miko saunters out onto the catwalk and leans over the
railing with a brooding expression.]
MIKO (cont'd)
I mean, you were all just a space-
bridge away and we still don't see
you for ten years?!
BULKHEAD
(stammering)
It's not that we didn't want to come
back Miko, it's just-well, things
move at a different pace on
Cybertron and-we've been so busy
with the re-building and all. We
lost track of-
MIKO
-Just save it...
[Miko averts her gaze and continues to brood. Bulkhead hangs
his head.]
DIRECTOR FOWLER
Now come on, people! This is a
debriefing, not a telenovela.
[Director Fowler and Raf arrive on the mezzanine. The large
view screen behind them flares to life with data and video
feeds.]
DIRECTOR FOWLER (cont'd)
Since your escape from the
Decepticon warship, we traced it's
trajectory to MECH's new
installation in the Balkans where it
resumed it's jamming signal. We got
out an SOS to Cybertron beforehand,
so reinforcements are on the way.
(to Shockwave)
What I want to know before they get
here, Shockwave, is why the
Decepticons have thrown their lot in
with MECH.
SHOCKWAVE
The Decepticons have not been a
united front since Megatron's
abdication. Soundwave is now acting
under orders from new masters...
[Shockwave's tone is ominous, making the Autobots nervous.
Only Ratchet seems to suppress a chuckle.]
RATCHET
(amused)
Please excuse him, Director Fowler.
Shockwave seems convinced that this
is all the work of the Quintessons-
an ancient enemy that Cybertron
destroyed long ago.
[Despite Ratchet's flippant tone, the other Autobots look
rattled.]
ARCEE
"The Old Ones"? You can't be
serious.
BULKHEAD
He's not. The Quintessons are just a
story old bots like Ratchet use to
scare us Third-Gen brats...
(nervous)
...right?
RATCHET
Oh, come now! The Usurpers were
vanquished. I was there to see it!
SHOCKWAVE
Perhaps not as vanquished as we
believed.
DIRECTOR FOWLER
So, who are these boogeymen?
RATCHET
Just as I said. Usurpers...
BEGIN
FLASHBACK
[The scene changes to a series of painted stills as Ratchet
recounts the story.]
RATCHET (V.O.)
Cybertron was taking it's first
steps between the stars in sleeper
ships and stasis pods.
[We see the inside of a colony ship, it's decks stacked with
rows of cryogenic pods filled with dormant Cybertronian
colonists.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
First contact soon followed.
[The colony ship encounters a strange vessel, a nest of
shining metallic tentacles protruding from its hull.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
They were mysterious beings, whom we
never encountered directly-only
through constructs or proxies. Their
technology was a strange fusion of
cybernetics and organic tissue.
[The Cybertronian explorers are ushered through a bio-
mechanical ship by floating robotic constructs in the shape
of bizarre aquatic creatures.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
They claimed to be our true creators
over Primus, and offered to uplift
us into a golden age of
enlightenment. Enough of us were
eager to naively accept their
bargain...
[Near one of their colonies, the Cybertronians construct a
massive space bridge.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
They then imparted the knowledge of
building bridges through space-time
and advanced our then-rudimentary
ability to transform.
[One of the workers hovers in space with his legs
transformed into thrusters and his arms into arc welders.
He marvels at his companion, having transformed entirely
into a flying construction platform.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
But it came at great cost. Slowly,
almost imperceptibly, we were
indoctrinated as their slaves. To
them, we were no more than vehicles,
tools, or technology...
[Fleets of Cybertronian workers busily assemble ships and
buildings with vacant, emotionless expressions. Those
transformed into vehicles are piloted by Quintesson
proxies.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
Those who discovered our enslavement
launched a desperate rebellion to
liberate our people, what is now
known as the War of Wrath...
[A massive fleet of Quintesson ships amasses near a space
bridge in a binary star system.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
(awed)
...for indeed their wrath was
awakened. The Old Ones gathered the
entirety of their forces in a
massive armada to crush our revolt
once and for all.
[The fleet pours through the portal, headed for Cybertron.
Beyond the portal's mouth stands a tall multi-limbed
Cybertronian.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
Our salvation came at the hand of
Quintus Prime, sage of The Thirteen.
[He stretches out one of his limbs, a strange mask floating
in its palm.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
With his sacred relic, the Triptych
Mask, and it's power to warp the
fabric of space, he collapsed the
space bridge of the attacking fleet
while they were still inside.
[The mask glows brilliantly, distorting the space bridge
portal until it dissolves. The denizens of Cybertron cheer
and pour praise on their savior.]
RATCHET (V.O.) (cont'd)
Cybertron then posthumously dubbed
their oppressors the "Quintessons"
as a mark of shame for their defeat
at Quintus' hand.
END FLASHBACK
RATCHET
Which is exactly what makes your
claims so ridiculous, Shockwave. How
could they have possibly survived
such gross temporal-spatial
displacement?!
[Shockwave contemplates for a moment before turning to
Arcee.]
SHOCKWAVE
You and I know that it is indeed
possible to survive a space bridge
collapse.
[Arcee looks away, conflicted. Shockwave then turns to Raf
and Miko.]
SHOCKWAVE (cont'd)
And your human allies have explored
the liminal dimension between space
bridges first-hand.
[Raf shrugs and gives a begrudging nod. Finally, Shockwave
turns back to Ratchet.]
SHOCKWAVE (cont'd)
My hypothesis: The Quintessons were
not destroyed. Merely trapped...and
are now attempting to break free...
RATCHET
(sputtering)
That's still theoretical-idle
speculation at best!
SHOCKWAVE
My former colleague openly declared
his allegiance to them. Meanwhile
MECH has mysteriously been regaled
with technology far beyond their
means. The proof is staring you in
the optics!
[Ratchet attempts to argue further, but the Shockwave's
implications leave him speechless.]
SHOCKWAVE (cont'd)
(grave)
I tried to warn Cybertron once.
Ignore me now and it will mean doom
for Autobot and Decepticon alike.
DIRECTOR FOWLER
Well, no matter who's behind all
this, MECH getting hold of the
Decepticon warship spells the end
for us here on Earth. We can't let
them take control of the Nemesis.
BULKHEAD
(pumped up)
Right! Wherever we've been the past
ten cycles, we're here now. Let's
make up for lost time!
ARCEE
Just give the word. We're ready to
go.
DIRECTOR FOWLER
Not 'till we get back up. I'm not
taking any chances this ti-
RAF
Director! We've got a confirmed
space bridge just off-base.
[Raf beckons Fowler over to his computer terminal,
displaying a sensor ping over the Nevada desert.]
DIRECTOR FOWLER
Speak of the devil!
EXT. HIGHWAY, NEVADA DESERT - NIGHT
[A green space-bridge portal opens onto a desert highway.
Several vehicles pour through and speed down the stretch of
road.]
ELITA (COMMS)
Team Prime, do you read? This is
Elita One.
A yellow fire engine leads a caravan consisting of a police
cruiser, a black flatbed truck, and a silver sports car.
ELITA (COMMS) (cont'd)
The cavalry's arrived.
INTERMISSION
OPEN ON:
EXT. HIGHWAY - NIGHT
[The caravan glides past a view of Jasper, Nevada on a
moonlit night.]
PROWL
Beautiful...Even this planet's
deserts are picturesque.
IRONHIDE
Oh, here we go again. The ninja-bots
are drooling over another moss-
covered dust ball. When will I hear
the end of it?
JAZZ
What's not to drool over? This
planet has everything! Did you know
these organics even have a genre of
music named after me? Give it a
listen-
[Jazz's stereo tunes to a Jazz music station. He does a
slow, low-riding serpentine to the mellifluous tune.]
JAZZ (cont'd)
Ohhh yeah! That's what I call a
tribute.
IRONHIDE
And it's named after you?
Coincidence. Gotta be.
PROWL
Don't let it go to your head.
JAZZ
Too late.
ELITA
Playtime's over, boys. We're on a
mission, not a furlough.
TEAM ONE
(in unison)
YES, SIR!
ELITA
(over comms)
NEST, we're en route.
DIRECTOR FOWLER (COMMS)
We left the back door open for ya.
[The caravan pulls into the NEST compound. When they arrive
outside mission control, they transform from their vehicle
modes and fall in line, saluting Director Fowler and Team
Prime.]
RATCHET
(flushed)
E-Elita! *clearing throat* Good to
see you again.
ELITA
Likewise, old-timer. Team Prime,
meet Team One. Yours truly,
Ironhide, Jazz, and Prowl-if you
weren't acquainted already.
[The newcomers walk up and greet Team Prime.]
JAZZ
(to Ratchet)
How's it tickin, Doc?
IRONHIDE
(nodding to Arcee)
'Cee. Chromia sends her regards.
PROWL
(aloof)
Bulkhead, it's been-
[Bulkhead snatches Prowl up in a bear hug.]
PROWL (cont'd)
(smiling)
-too long.
RATCHET
We're honored. Ultra Magnus sent us
some of his finest.
ELITA
(casual)
Don't flatter. We were just in the
neighborhood and I owed blue-boy a
favor. Now, we can catch up later.
What's our plan of attack?
RAF
I am.
[The Autobots turn to see Raf striding toward them, zipping
up his NEST jump suit.]
RAF (cont'd)
Last time, I was on the outside. If
you can get me in their base, I can
crack it wide open.
(determined)
I won't fail this time.
SHOCKWAVE
My presence will also be required.
[Shockwave strides out to join them, met with astonished
looks from Ironhide, Jazz, and Prowl.]
SHOCKWAVE (cont'd)
I know the warship's access codes.
Logically, you will need my aid to
recapture it.
[Ironhide whispers aside to Elita.]
IRONHIDE
Commander, organics are one thing,
but bloody Decepticons?! What's this
world coming to?!
ELITA
Things will be...interesting, to say
the least. But when have things ever
been routine for us?
[Elita strides between Team Prime and Team One, embarking on
a motivational speech with a finesse that could only have
come from practice.]
ELITA (cont'd)
Optimus came to this planet because
he saw the same spark of life, the
same yearning for freedom and hope
in humanity that we Cybertronians
carry deep in our cores. In his
memory, I'm willing to go to any
length to keep that spark alive...
Are you?
TEAM ONE
(in unison)
YES, SIR!
[Team Prime all salute in affirmation.]
ELITA
Then,-if you don't mind me quoting
the big lug-Autobots! Roll out!
CUT TO:
INT. MECH BASE, CHOP SHOP - NIGHT
[MECH operatives crowd the floor of what appears to be a
horrid butcher shop for robots. Vehicon body parts adorn
the walls and hang from the girders by chains.
A grizzled man with a wild look in his eye struts the
catwalks above the shop. He gently hums the tune of Strange
Fruit to himself.]
ZADOK
*hums* Southern trees bear strange
fruit...*hums* Blood on the leaves
and blood at the root...
(to his soldiers)
Brothers! Rest for a spell! I have
good news!
[The men cease their work and gather beneath him. The man
flicks on a view screen displaying the image of the
Decepticon warship docking at their base.]
ZADOK (cont'd)
Our faith has been rewarded. Our
benefactors graciously bestowed us a
vessel to take us to the stars!
[His goons all holler and cheer with frenzied approval.]
ZADOK (cont'd)
To think that we've come so far
after Silas left us to rot...
[They boo and jeer.]
ZADOK (cont'd)
...vindicates the idea on which MECH
was founded, if not the man who
founded it. Unlike that cur, I,
Zadok Melbourne, intend to share the
spoils with all of you!
[More cheers.]
ZADOK (cont'd)
Let us prepare, brothers! Apotheosis
awaits.
[As his henchman busily file out of the chop-shop, Zadok
marches away, finishing his tune. He strums the line of
dangling vehicon limbs as he passes.]
ZADOK (cont'd)
*hums* Bodies swayin' in the summer
breeze...*hums* Strange fruit hangin
from the poplar trees...
EXT. BALKAN MOUNTAINS - NIGHT
[A ground bridge portal opens on top of a snowy mountain
shelf. The Autobots emerge from it and descend down the
mountain slope in several bounds. They then huddle up
behind an outcropping to receive their orders.]
ELITA
Alright, Ninja-bots. It's your time
to shine.
PROWL
(phlegmatic)
"Shining" would be
counterproductive.
JAZZ
Shadow-quill armor primed.
[Jazz and Prowl flex their wrists, activating an
invisibility field around their bodies. A trail of large,
empty footprints then breadcrumbs its way to the base.
Occasionally a chain-link fence rattles and a lamp-post
bends, but the MECH guards otherwise take no notice of the
infiltrators.]
INT. SERVER ROOM
[A MECH operative emerges from a server room, yawning as he
leaves for a bathroom break. As he walks down the hall,
Prowl de-cloaks behind him and gently flicks him in the
back, knocking him out cold.
Jazz de-cloaks beside him and lets Raf emerge from a panel
in his chassis. Raf then frisks the guard for a pass-key,
enters the server room and begins typing commands into a
security console.]
RAF
(into his headset)
Alright, their defense grid should
be powering down...now.
EXT. MECH BASE
[Outside, the Autobots witness his handiwork. Auto-cannons
freeze in their turrets and guards confusedly rush between
their posts in a panic.]
ELITA
We're moving in!
[The Autobots transform into vehicle mode and rush the MECH
perimeter. They plow over fences and gun down hapless MECH-
guards in their assault.]
DIRECTOR FOWLER (COMMS)
Roger that. We'll throw a party in
the front. You raise some hell in
the back.
[A squadron of NEST helicopters appears over the mountain
peak and joins in the attack.]
INT. SERVER ROOM
[Raf continues hacking MECH's mainframe.]
RAF
(to his headset)
Base? This is RAF. I'm giving you a
live feed into MECH's security
network.
DIRECTOR FOWLER (COMM)
Copy that. We're receiving you.
INT. NEST MISSION OPS
[As Director Fowler co-ordinates the assault, several video
feeds from MECH's surveillance cams open across the main
view-screen. One of the feeds displays a great deal of
bustle, drawing the Director's eye.]
DIRECTOR FOWLER
Hold up. Enlarge feed twenty-three.
What's going on there?
[The relevant feed expands to fill the screen.]
INT. MECH LABORATORY
[Zadok dons a medical gown and lays down on a table as a
number of medical assistants prepare him for a bizarre
procedure. He is connected to an assembly of monitors and
slowly conveyed into a strange machine resembling an MRI.
Several technicians monitor his vitals from behind a
console.]
TECHNICIAN 1
All functions nominal. Neural
refraction commencing.
[The machine powers up and Zadok closes his eyes, his
expression serene. A steady cadence of electrical pulses
travel along a bundle of cables snaking out of the
laboratory and into a nearby hangar.
The cables disappear beneath a huge dust tarp concealing a
large machine.]
TECHNICIAN 2
Synaptic patterns are stable...
Connectomes appear to be
transcribing properly...Memory
engrams are a bit sluggish, but-
what was that?!
[They hear the muffled tremors of the base's assault. The
machines and monitors all flicker and fluctuate.]
TECHNICIAN 1
Switch to back-up power! Keep the
transfers online!
[The computer readouts show Zadok's nervous system being
transferred to a new body...]
INT. MECH BASE, HANGAR
[The nondescript machine concealed beneath the dust-tarp
begins to stir. Slowly, a towering robot emerges and rises
to its feet.
It resembles a Decepticon, or a Frankenstein-like patchwork
of one. It examines itself with interest through glowing
yellow optics.]
LOCKDOWN
Sublime...I could not have pictured
it any better...
[The sound of explosions rouses Lockdown from his euphoria.]
LOCKDOWN (cont'd)
Men! Prepare for battle! We have
uninvited guests!
[Lockdown rises from his slab and paces along rows of other
dormant vehicon bodies, all connected to neural refraction
tethers.
One by one, they awaken and rise. A dozen mechanical MECH
troopers awaken and follow their leader into battle.]
INT. SERVER ROOM
[Raf watches dumbfounded as the MECH operatives transfer
themselves into vehicon bodies.]
RAF
Ops, are you seeing this?
DIRECTOR FOWLER (COMMS)
I'm seeing it, but I'm not believing
it!
INT. NEST, MISSION OPS
[Director Fowler, June Darby, and Ratchet are similarly
transfixed.]
RATCHET
(stammering)
Incredible! This is beyond-I don't
think even Cybertronian science
could-
[Ratchet slowly comes to a frightening realization.]
RATCHET (cont'd)
(haunted)
Maybe...Shockwave was right...
Perhaps this is the work of the Old
Ones.
[As Ratchet dissociates, June takes her own interest MECH's
marvel of science.]
JUNE DARBY
(pondering)
Director...Is there any way we could
accomplish something like this?-I
mean, reverse engineer it from what
MECH has done?
DIRECTOR FOWLER
Maybe if there's enough of it to
salvage after this op.
RATCHET
-And after years of study.
[That seems to make up her mind. She determinedly crosses
the catwalk.]
DIRECTOR FOWLER
What are you getting at, June?
JUNE DARBY
I have a plan. Ratchet, I need you
to load up Jack and prepare to
ground-bridge to those coordinates.
Raf, meet us there.
RATCHET
Nurse Darby, you know Jack is in no
condition to be moved anywhere-much
less a war zone!
JUNE DARBY
(bracing herself)
He may never be right again...if we
don't take this chance. Please, just
trust me!
[Ratchet and Director Fowler trade uneasy glances.]
CUT TO:
EXT. MECH BASE, COMPOUND - MORNING
[The Autobots, supported by NEST choppers, continue their
assault. They work their way to the center compound where
the Decepticon warship is docked.
As Bulkhead and Arcee hold the perimeter, Elita and
Ironhide escort Shockwave up the docking ramp.]
IRONHIDE
Keep your blaster where I can see
it, Decepticon.
[Shockwave turns and fires a shot at a MECH trooper trying
to creep up on Ironhide's blindside.]
SHOCKWAVE
Enjoy the spectacle.
[Shockwave then embarks the seemingly dormant ship. But
before he can cross its threshold, a pair of metal tendrils
merge from the ship's interior and throw him back.
Shockwave then goes tumbling down the ramp along with Elita
and Ironhide. They land in a heap on the tarmac, looking up
to see the warship aiming its batteries of blaster cannons
at them.]
IRONHIDE
SCRAP!
CUT TO:
INT. MECH BASE, HANGAR
[Only a few MECH technicians and guards are left in the
hangar. They are swiftly dispatched by invisible
assailants.
Prowl and Jazz then de-cloak and drop off Raf by one of the
neural refractor terminals.]
RAF
(into his comms)
Ops, you're clear to bridge.
[A ground bridge portal appears several feet away, Ratchet
pulling through it in his ambulance mode. June gets out of
the passenger seat and wheels out Jack's body on a gurney.]
PROWL
Is this going to take long? We need
to be out in the fight.
JUNE DARBY
It'll take as long as it takes.
You're both free to go.
JAZZ
Ratchet, are you good to keep 'em
out of harm's way.
RATCHET
Doubtfully. I must remain in vehicle
mode for Jack's body to remain
connected to my life-support suite.
[Raf busies himself readying the neural refractor's transfer
procedure.]
RAF
(determined)
We'll manage.
JAZZ
We can't just leave you here!
PROWL
You're taking all these risks for
one soldier?
RAF
Not just any soldier. Jack is the
bravest of us all. He wouldn't think
twice about risking it all for us...
(contrite)
I'm happy to return the favor.
[Prowl's icy exterior seems to thaw for the young human's
show of bravery.]
PROWL
(to Jazz)
You go. I'll stay and protect the
humans.
JAZZ
You sure? Didn't think you the
sentimental type.
PROWL
Let's just say...I'm starting to see
what Optimus was going on about.
[Jazz gives an understanding nod before transforming and
speeding away.]
EXT. MECH BASE, COMPOUND
[The Autobots take cover from the warship's fire on one
flank while being assaulted by MECH's robotic armatures on
the other.
Just as their fate seems sealed, both the warship and the
MECH troopers cease their fire. Lockdown strides out from
their ranks to parlay.]
LOCKDOWN
Autobots! Lay down your arms! You
are surrounded. I offer a chance for
peaceful surrender.
ELITA
Giving up already? Things were just
getting interesting.
LOCKDOWN
(leering)
Well, I'd hate to damage that pretty
little carapace of yours. It'd look
lovely on one of my lady friends...
[Lockdown's soldiers laugh and jeer.]
IRONHIDE
You sick, twisted freak!
LOCKDOWN
A few too many years in lock-down
will do that to a man. But I wasn't
alone in that cold cell. The clarion
call of the Quintessons kept me
company.
[The Autobots exchange troubled glances.]
LOCKDOWN (cont'd)
(pious)
They have forgiven your race's
insolence and pride. Open your
sparks and receive their gifts once
mor-
[He is interrupted by the sound of explosions overhead. One
by one, each weapon turret on the nemesis is destroyed by
planted explosives. Jazz places the last one before leaping
down and joining the Autobots.]
JAZZ
Sermon's over, ugly! Now where were
we?
[Both sides leap back into battle.]
INT. MECH BASE, HANGAR
[June hastens Jack through the procedures for the neural
refractor while Raf monitors his vitals. Prowl stands
vigilant for intruders.]
PROWL
From what you've told me, your
friend reminds me of a bot I once
knew. Bluestreak...
(sympathetic)
I let him down once too.
RAF
I never said-
PROWL
I can see it in your face. Guilt
spurs you on.
[Raf relents, his shoulders sagging. Prowl gives him a smile
of reassurance.]
PROWL (cont'd)
It's never too late.
[They're interupted by the sound of footfalls. A squad of
MECH troopers comes through the doors, led by Lockdown's
lieutenants. One is tall and gaunt, carrying pods of
noxious chemicals. The other is stout and armed with what
look like defibrillator pads.]
OILSLICK
Saboteurs!
FLATLINE
Open fire!
[Prowl leaps into combat, holding off the MECH forces as
June conveys Jacks body into the neural refractor.]
JUNE DARBY
How long will it take?
RAF
Too long.
[Just as he says, a pair of MECH soldiers break off from the
fight and head for them. Ratchet, still in his vehicle
mode, screeches into their path.
He runs into one, toppling it over, while extending his
passenger door to trip the other.
Meanwhile, Prowl dissects his opposition with his shuriken.
Oilslick attempts to spray him with acid, but the acrobatic
ninja-bot deftly leaps away.]
JUNE DARBY
How close are we?!
RAF
Almost there!
[The computer displays a 65% complete autonomic transfer.
Prowl continues fending off MECH. He seems almost
untouchable, but fails to notice a pair of wounded MECH
troopers crawling over and seizing his legs.
They slow him down enough to let Flatline get a solid hit
with his defibrillator.]
PROWL
*growls in pain*
RATCHET
PROWL!
[Oilslick then strides over and impales Prowl with his long
spindly claws.]
RATCHET (cont'd)
NO!
[Enraged, Ratchet careens into the MECH troopers, but they
manage to restrain him. Oilslick then turns his attention
to the humans.
June protectively flings herself in front of the machine
containing Jack while Raf nervously shields the computer
terminal.]
OILSLICK
Wait.
[He motions for his troops to hold their fire.]
OILSLICK (cont'd)
They're not sabotaging the neural
refractors. They're utilizing them.
[Raf and June pause in a nervous silence.]
OILSLICK (cont'd)
(gracious)
Why, you need only have asked!
[They gape in surprise.]
OILSLICK (cont'd)
We needn't be enemies. MECH has held
the ascension of humanity as its
highest ideal. For our foes to
accede to our methods...
(consulting
Flatline)
I believe brother Zadok would
approve, wouldn't you?
FLATLINE
Perhaps. We'd have to leave behind
the neural refractors either way.
[The MECH lieutenants dismiss their troops and transform
into vehicles to depart.]
OILSLICK
Take them with our compliments.
FLATLINE
Do not stand in our way again.
[The MECH troopers leave them to mourn the futility of their
struggle.]
RATCHET
I-Is the transfer complete?
[Raf consults the console as the neural refractor spins to a
halt. All lights are green. Transfer complete. Raf gives a
bittersweet nod.
Ratchet then transforms back into robot mode and rushes to
Prowl's side.]
PROWL
(weak)
Did it work...?
RATCHET
(pained smile)
Yes. Yes we did it...
PROWL
Then it seems...we'll both be
reuniting with old friends soon...
[Prowl lets out his last breath and goes offline. With a
somber sigh, Ratchet drags his optics closed.]
EXT. MECH BASE, COMPOUND
[MECH and the Autobots battle to a standstill. When
Lockdown's lieutenants arrive with reinforcements, he
orders his troops to withdraw to the warship.]
LOCKDOWN
Come, brothers! Our fight here is
finished! The stars await us!
[His troopers all transform into vehicles and embark the
Nemesis. The Autobots and remaining NEST helicopters fire
after them, but the damaged warship escapes into the sky.]
IRONHIDE
Blast it all! They're getting away!
JAZZ
At least they're limping.
ELITA
(comms)
Ops, lock onto the warship. They're
leaving a trail.
DIRECTOR FOWLER (COMMS)
Acknowledged, Team One. Regroup with
the rest of the team.
(somber)
We've got a casualty...
[Elita terminates the line as Ironhide looks around in
confusion.]
IRONHIDE
Where's Prowl got off to?
[He then sees the look in Elita's eyes.]
CUT TO:
INT. NEST, MISSION CONTROL
[Prowl's body is sealed in a levitating casket. The Autobots
and NEST soldiers are arrayed on either side, saluting as
the fallen hero is guided into a space bridge portal back
to Cybertron.
Ironhide is the most mournful of all.]
IRONHIDE
(muttering)
We fought the Decepticons for
thousands of cycles...and how does
he die?
(resentful)
Here, on this wretched world...and
for what?
[He glares resentfully at the humans standing on the
catwalks.]
JAZZ
Easy, Ironhide. He gave his life for
a noble cause.
IRONHIDE
A lost cause more like! Look at
them! They are a primitive and
barbaric race.
RATCHET
Were we any different?
IRONHIDE
(nodding at
Shockwave)
Who's "we"?
ELITA
Enough! Ironhide, since you feel so
strongly for Prowl's loss, I grant
you leave to return with him to
Cybertron and hold his vigil. You
are dismissed.
IRONHIDE
Thank you, Commander. Was getting
tired of this place anyway...
[Ironhide stomps off into the portal before it closes.]
ELITA
(to the humans)
Please excuse him. He's had it rough
today.
DIRECTOR FOWLER
We understand. He hasn't exactly
seen humanity's good side today.
RATCHET
Humanity is what Prowl gave his life
to preserve, and it was not in vain.
Everyone, there's something I want
to show you.
INT. MEDICAL HANGAR
[Ratchet leads them into his laboratory where a robot
resembling a vehicon sits at his examination table.]
RATCHET (cont'd)
How are you feeling?
JACK
Uh...fine, I guess. But this still
feels weird. It's like I'm inside a
huge mascot suit or-
[He freezes when he notices Arcee.]
JACK (cont'd)
Arcee?
ARCEE
(overhwelmed)
Jack...Is...Is that really you?
JACK
(overjoyed)
ARCEE!
[They collide in a tearful embrace. June is close enough to
reach out and fondly stroke his head. Miko outright
clambers over the railing, climbs his shoulder and kisses
his cheek in excitement. Bulkhead pats him on the back and
all else gathered smile fondly at his return.]
TO BE
CONTINUED